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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Why JV Ejercito wants to return to the Senate

Why JV Ejercito wants to return to the Senate

Published Apr 16, 2022 07:59 am
JV Ejercito (Facebook)

Former Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito has revealed he was never interested in a career in entertainment, even if his family is showbiz royalty.


"Hindi naman ako masyadong gwapo at hindi naman ako masyadong pangit. Sakto lang. Alam ko kasi limitasyon ko. Hayaan na natin ang pag-aartista sa mga artistahin. May hitsura rin naman tayo pero hindi artistahin. Kailangan alam natin ang limits natin," says JV when he met members of he entertainment press and the vlogging community in TImog, Quezon City recently.


"Nakakahiya naman kung gagawa ka ng pelikula tapos wala naman nanonood. Okay na yung ganito lang. Sakto lang," he added. 


But JV said he is thankful for all his celebrity friends who campaign for him.

One of the front-runners in the senatorial race, JV said he wants to return to the Senate to make sure that the Universal Health Care Law (UHC) will be properly implemented and enjoyed by all Filipinos, especially amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

"By now, I think people are more aware of Universal Health Care and have benefitted from it. I guess people are now appreciating what I have done in the Senate. Mainit pa rin ang reception sa akin sa mga provinces na pinupuntahan namin. I am not be popular pero andyan pa rin yung init. May ups and downs rin naman. But probably yung mainit na pagkatanggap is showing appreciation to my efforts noong nakaupo pa ako sa Senado," he said.

(Facebook)

JV sponsored and authored Senate Bill 1896, or the UHC, which automatically enrolls all Filipino citizens in the National Health Insurance Program and prescribes complementary reforms in the health system. "Simply put, it gives all Filipinos access to health-care coverage and services while protecting them from enduring financial hardship as a result."

The pandemic has exacerbated the weaknesses of the country's healthcare system and hampered the implementation of the UHC Law. He feels that it is his mission and obligation to finish and oversee its implementation.

JV admitted that it is very difficult to run as an independent candidate.

"Napakahirap tumakbo na mag-isa although nakakapunta naman ako sa ibang partido for adopting me as guest candidate pero wala akong built-in crowd tulad ng iba. Solo lang ako. So pag may pupuntahan kami na sortie, hindi namin alam kung sino ang pupunta at sasalubong sa amin. But that'a part of beng an independent candidate. Ang daming challenges being an independent candidate wala akomng partido at may kasabay akong tumatakbo, and it's an uphill battle from the very start," he said.

"But my ranking is quite high already. At least pasok na ako sa Top 12 in most survey firms. Sana tuloy-tuloy na ito pero napakabigat talaga ng pinagdaraanan ko. Isa sa nagpapalakas talaga sa akin ay yung reception ng mga tao sa provinces."

"I think it's a blessing in disguise that I am an independent candidate because I am able to elaborate my programs more instead of being in a team na ang dami-dami ninyo," JV said.

(Facebook)

The former senator said he did not rebrand or change his image for this year's national campaign. 

"Wala akong rebranding na ginagawa. I think if the product is good, there's no need to rebrand. Hindi ko na kailangan magpabango kasi malinis naman ang track record ko. I have no issues of corruption. I've been a public servant for 18 years. I've never been involved in any scandals. I am unblemished," JV said.

JV encouraged all voters to respect the political views of other people.

"Nakakalungkot sa politics na kailangan mag-away yung mga magkakaibigan. Even families. Nagtatalo talo sila dahil masyado silang immerse sa politics. Hindi ko siya napi-feel kasi hindi ako member ng same group. My loyalty is not for a specific presidential candidate, but for the Filipino people," said JV, one of the first senatorial candidates endorsed by President Duterte for 2022.

When not busy, JV is into vlogging and joins a motorcycle rider's team. "I post pictures of food sa blog ko and I enjoy being a member of a rider's team. My main goal here is to promote our local tourism and small businesses. Sana magawa ko ito ng tuloy-tuloy."

Related Tags

jvejercito universalhealthcarelaw UHC law
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